Lorenzo laughed out loud, clutching his stomach. Austin joined in, their shared amusement echoing through the dim space like they'd just heard the world's best joke.
Miss Ceasar, on the other hand, stood dumbfounded—irritation building in her expression.
"How… how can you two idiots be laughing at a time like this!?" she snapped, exasperated. "It makes no sense whatsoever! Lorenzo, your own brother was just tied to a chair, drugged, and nearly killed—and you're laughing? And you—" she pointed at Austin "—you should be traumatized! Any sane person would be breaking down by now!"
Lorenzo took a slow sip from his juice box, letting the silence hang for a beat.
"See, Boss... we're guys," he said calmly. "We get tossed into the abyss, make friends with our demons, and come back cracking jokes. At some point... all of this just becomes funny, doesn't it?"
Austin nodded in agreement, shifting slightly in the ropes like he was getting comfortable.
"We're just souls in meat suits at this point," Lorenzo added.
Miss Ceasar opened her mouth to argue but stopped short, sighing in frustration. Then—the ground rumbled.
Lorenzo's posture straightened instantly, instincts kicking in. Austin, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes as if he sensed something. He planted his feet, rocked the chair sharply, and forced it to slam against the ground. Once. Twice. Crack. The legs splintered, and he rolled forward, free.
"Not to kill the vibe, but... where the hell are we again?"
"The basement of some run-down factory," Lorenzo replied, unfazed by the casual jailbreak.
CRASH!
The ceiling gave way—wood, metal, and concrete exploding downwards as a massive truck tore through the floor above.
Miss Ceasar stood frozen, squarely in its path.
Lorenzo was too far. There wasn't time.
In a blur, Austin lunged, catching her around the waist and diving sideways just as the debris collapsed around them. He landed hard, shielding her body with his own. A sharp splinter gashed his arm, but he barely flinched.
"Ugh... you okay, Miss Ceasar?" he asked, gritting his teeth. "Ah, hell… I just bought these clothes."
Miss Ceasar blinked, stunned. She'd spent her life fighting for control, power, respect—never expecting someone would shield her without question. The weight of the moment hit harder than the falling ceiling.
But time wasn't on their side.
Lorenzo bolted forward, grabbing a set of keys from his belt. He climbed over the ruined truck, using it as a ramp toward the factory's upper level.
"Let's go!" he shouted.
Austin crouched, letting Miss Ceasar climb on his back. He carried her up and out, following Lorenzo into the car already parked outside with its doors open wide.
He set her gently in the back seat and climbed into the front.
"Drive!"
Lorenzo revved the engine with a grin. "Ride or die, baby!"
As the factory crumbled behind them, flames catching in the wreckage, they sped off into the night.
Austin leaned back in his seat, letting out a tired breath.
"Another day, another truck…"